João Novais


João Pedro Barradas Novais is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for S.C. Braga as a midfielder.

Club career

Born in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto Metropolitan Area, Novais was in the youth ranks of FC Porto before concluding his development at nearby Leixões SC. He scored his first professional goal on 11 May 2014 in the final game of the Segunda Liga season, a penalty kick to equalise in a 1–1 home draw against C.F. União.
On 3 July 2015, Novais signed for Primeira Liga club Rio Ave F.C. on a four-year deal. He scored twice in his first season with the team from Vila do Conde, including the leveller in a 1–1 draw at Porto on 6 January. In 2017–18 he recorded a career-best eight league goals, and two more in the Taça da Liga in a 3–2 group stage home win over former team Leixões.
Novais transferred to fellow top-flight club S.C. Braga in May 2018. He scored his first goal on 16 August in a 2–2 home draw with FC Zorya Luhansk in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League, though his side was eliminated on the away goals rule.

Personal life

Novais' father Abílio also played as a midfielder, being best known for his spell at S.C. Salgueiros in the late 1990s.

Honours

Braga